Bolivia Travel Tips

Bolivia travel tips on money saving, personal safety, sightseeing, and enjoying your trip to the fullest from InfoHub suppliers and community members.

Health and Sanity in Bolivia

Submitted by M16929

In Bolivia the sanitary conditions for the sale and handling of foods are not always the best. We suggest not to buy and ingest food in the street. We recommend only eating in hotels and suggested restaurants. Drink only
... view more bottled water if it's possible.

Security in Bolivia

Submitted by M16929

Bolivia is a safe country- but as cities develop so does the petty thieving. For your security, please follow the following suggestions:
- If you need to be transported from your Hotel to other places, it is advise to
... view more ask your hotel reception for a “radio taxi”.
- When walking along the streets, or in public and crowed places, please don't get distracted and keep an eye on your things.
- Never contact a tour or other tourist service in the street. Do so via authorized travel agents.
- There are some delinquents trying to make tourist believe that they belong to the police or anti –narcotics forces, please be careful.
- Always carry with you the name, address and telephone number of your hotel and travel agent in Bolivia .
- Leave all important documents at your hotel security.
- You must not give your credit card PIN (personal identification number) to anybody and at any place. Don't answer to any strange question referred to your credit card.

Norms for foreign currencies

Submitted by M16929

The official currency in Bolivia is the boliviano. It co-exists with the North American dollar that is currency of free circulation and it can be changed in Banks and Money Exchange offices Money Exchange offices also
... view more accept transactions in Euros.

People called “libre-cambistas” (people who change money in the streets) located in the streets and avenues, is not recommended to make transactions with them, due to the danger of receiving false currency, besides carrying out an inferior change to the official rate.

Disease of altitude: mountain sickness

Submitted by M16929

The clinical pictures which had several to the reduction of the pressure of oxygen in high altitude in the human being to 5.550 m .a.s.l (18.204 ft) the partial oxygen pressure diminishes to half, equal number of
... view more diminution of the oxygenation, 20% of the people who ascend over the 2.500 m .a.s.l (8.200 ft) in less of a day present/display some degree of altitude sickness, is very important for the adaptation to the height, in which time and whichever meters it is promoted since if we would not count on the factor of adaptation would not exist cities or tows over 2.500 m .a.s.l (8.200 ft) or would not be possible to be ascended to that altitude or grater level.

Disease of altitude: mountain sickness. Part 2

Submitted by M16929

According to medical studies of the Medical American Association if a person is taken, without any kind of adaptation from the level of the sea to the top of the Everest mount which she is to 8.850 (29.028 ft) which
... view more would mean 9 Km . in vertical, would pass away in 10 minutes.

The greater permanent life in highest altitude this a town of Rinconada Peru in the height of 5.099 m .a.s.l (16.724 ft) the adaptation is in this optimal situation since there those were born in the place is the ones who live there in. Over that altitude fixed fire positions in any being could adapt, even in a year to that height.

The people who already have undergone an episode are slightly are more susceptible who others in similar conditions but the effects of the eight very much form an individual to another one, the same person in diverse circumstances even can be more susceptible some times than others.

The small children usually are more vulnerable to the diminution of the partial pressure of oxygenate that the adults nevertheless this incidence descends in linear from when advancing the age.

In the case of an abrupt exhibition to high altitude without adaptation as the depressurization of an airplane or the air balloon elevation would produce hypoxia, is understood by hypoxia to the diminution of oxygenate: the intense hypoxia happen when it happens immediately and the person lost the conscience.

In few days in altitudes superior to 3000 m. a.s.l (9.840 ft) this can happen and again acclimatization would be essential.

The acclimatization consist of a series integrated of replaced which they gradually restore the oxygenation of weaves in people exposed to the altitude, summarizing the concept of altitude sickness from the medical point
... view more of view the diminution of oxygenation of tissues who increases the permeability hair, understand by capillary of the artery like a small causing accumulation of liquids outside the circulatory system mainly in organs as the brain or the lung.

Acute altitude sickness by fast presentation even is not the frequent one, it appears to divide the 2.000 m .a.s.l (6.560 ft) it is characterized by headache, tires (similar sensation that would have a person after to have run the 100 flat meters), you feel nauseous and alteration of the dream once presented these symptoms a minimum effort as to go true a stairs or a greater effort as a sport would aggravate the symptoms.

The Pulmonary Edema of Height (EPA) that or is a disease, usually disappears of 24 to 48 hours (it happens in very few cases less and less by the information) passed east time the picture is restituted and the pulmonary call recovers quickly.

Disease of altitude: mountain sickness. Part 4

Submitted by M16929

The serious Pulmonary Edema of Height (EPA) although very little frequents usually appears to the 24 or 96 hours after an ascent over the 2.500 m. a.s.l.(8.200 ft). The problem is 5 times but frequent in the men and the
... view more children, by recent findings was a reduction of oxidize nitric in the people at level of the lung this would be one of the susceptibility factors but still they lack studies that guaranties this concept.

Edema Pulmonary of Height (EPA) unlike altitude sickness is characterized by the sensation of progressive fatigue, cough, blood cough, weakness, bluish color in the ends of the fingers (extreme) palpitations and a respiratory sound when taking place the air intake to the lungs that including the own patient can hear it, if a person is to a height superior to the 2.500 m. a.s.l (8.200 ft) and the fatigue that felt when arriving prolongs but of 24 to 48 hours it will require urgent medical attention.

Disease of altitude: mountain sickness. Prevention

Submitted by M16929

Altitude sickness (MAA) is prepared by means of a slow ascent, but the speed of elevation is different from a person from another one, the majority can ascend until 1.500 m.a.s.l (4.920 ft) in a day without presenting
... view more annoyances, but many are affected first 24 /48 hours when ascending to the 2.500 m.a.s.l (8.200 ft) are recommended in the cases of promoting about 460 meters per day (1.508 ft), are very important the first 24 to 36 hours to avoid all effort, is not due to carry out the rest in bed, is due to drink much water, to avoid abundant meals or salty, try to ingest rich meals in sugar like fruits and candies and not to drink alcohol.

Acetasolamida ‘'Paracetamol'' in South America and “Tylenol” in North America: one or another name in Western Europe, in 500 doses of Mg. when lying down lessens disappear; also can taking the s 3 days, 500Mg every 6 hours; the people cannot take this remedy who know that the sulfamidas ones are allergic, also can be administrated oxygenate to a flow under but with the uncomfortable that represents the oxygen administration for the patients.

As opposed to the EPA suspicion we recommended that the people who arrive on the 2.500 m .a.s.l (8.200 ft) have rest and oxygenate but if the picture gets worse in La Paz Bolivia (3.640m.a.s.l) (11.939 ft) was not necessary, generalizing the information the use blocking of calcium, diuretics, caffeine nonuse without or digital nonuse; they are indications that we left in charge of the medical personnel who this taking care of the people who suffer of edema pulmonary of height. By the experience of 2.500 cities of but of m.a.s.l the consultation if the patient and the fast administration of oxygenate altitude sickness recovers quickly of the 24 to 48 hours (registered cases of death by MAP in the last 40 years they are not measurable by its peculiarity and they were by non consultations on time).

Latin America

Submitted by M16603

For those who want to experience some authentic Latin American culture, it’s essential to travel to Bolivia’s capital, La Paz. Set atop the Bolivian plateau at an altitude of 3,739 m., this destination will literally
... view more take your breath away. La Paz is often referred to as the ‘Tibet of the Americas’ and, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, it is easy to see why. The city is famed for its witches’ markets, where superstitious travelers can purchase good-luck talismans or ingredients for spells – dried llama foetus, anyone? If not, you can just head straight to the salt palace, a spectacular hotel made of…yep, you guessed it – salt! In La Paz, traditional clothing is worn regularly so expect to see women walking the streets in brightly coloured petticoats and bowler hats. Nowhere else in South America is tradition so central to everyday life.

Another alluring city is Puerto Madryn, one of the main gateways to Argentinean Patagonia. Here eco-tourists can get a rare glimpse of the local whale and penguin populations. Alternatively, you might find yourself more intrigued by Gaiman, the Welsh town, which is populated by descendants of the original Welsh settlers. Here the Welsh language and traditions have been fiercely preserved and you can even try out some famous Welsh Tea. Another highlight is the Valdes Peninsula, one of the few places in the world where tour companies offer the chance to go whale watching.